Ukraine and Moldova open accession negotiations with the EU

Ukraine and Moldova are opening accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) today.

At the intergovernmental conferences in Luxembourg, Ukraine and Moldova will open the first negotiating cluster - Fundamentals, which includes the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, the rule of law, judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, and economic criteria.

The chapters from Cluster One are the backbone of the accession process, so they are the first to open and the last to close.

The opening of negotiations with Ukraine was long blocked by the former Hungarian government of Viktor Orban, which lost the elections in April.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states decided on June 12th to officially open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement that the decision to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova represents "a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work that both countries have shown in implementing reforms, despite facing enormous challenges."

Costa and Von der Leyen described the decision as "a strategic choice that strengthens peace, security and prosperity" across Europe and as "a signal that the offer of peace, stability and opportunity that the EU offers is unparalleled."